Green Light for PS60m City Centre Development

Green Light for PS60m City Centre Development

Article excerpt

PLANS for a multi-million development opposite St James' Park in Newcastle city centre have been given the green light.

The estimated PS60m application for student accommodation for nine and 11 storey blocks for land above St James' Metro station between Strawberry Place and Gallowgate has been approved.

As part of the scheme, developers Marrico Asset Management also intend to build a 17-storey apartment building and 10 floors of office space in a second phase of development on the site.

At a meeting of Newcastle City Council's planning committee, plans were given the go-ahead - subject to a section 106 agreement worth PS90,480 to improve transport links on surrounding roads, and up to PS754,000 for off-site affordable housing for the second phase of development.

Julie Seaton, planning officer at Newcastle City Council, said: "The scheme provides high quality accommodation for residents and young people, and provides high quality public space across the site."

The two blocks of student accommodation will accommodate a total of 390 students, with 172 of those being housed in the smaller nine-storey structure.

Detailed plans for the apartment building and office space will need to be provided by Marrico before the second phase of development can be given the green light. Plans were previously approved in June 2016, subject to securing a section 106 agreement and Nexus withdrawing its objections to the proposal.

The Metro operator raised fears about access to St James' station during construction and their belief the development would block any underground westward expansion. Nexus has since produced its Metro Strategy 2030 report which ruled out any further underground route from the station due to above ground construction - instead highlighting a preference for a streetrunning network along the A186 West Road.

The document outlines a new preferred option of westward expansion for a street network along the A186 West Road. …